JULY/AUGUST 2020 COMMUNICATIONS
as the criteria of a success or
failure during this phase.
Installation
Unlike home Wi-Fi systems
where it’s no big deal to inch
slightly closer to the router,
or open a door to get the
coverage, these compromises
can’t be made in an industrial
setting because operations
won’t work if the installation
isn’t precisely and exactly
planned and executed. Care
needs to be taken with not
only the correct positioning
of the hardware but also
with any antenna cabling
and correct alignment of
any antenna. Twisting or
bending an antenna cable will
cause permanent damage,
and hardware will need to be
replaced.
Equally important to
consider when designing
a wireless network is the
network infrastructure on
whether it will connect onto
or into it.
Eventually the network
installation should be
completed by accredited
organisations who understand the importance of
best practices, cable testing to standards, wireless
surveys and heat mapping.
Maintenance
Once the installation is completed and signed
off , a check must be conducted to see if the
wireless infrastructure is fi t for the purpose and
meets the requirements detailed in the initial
scoping document.
Typically, this is carried out as a heat mapping
exercise where the wireless system is powered
up, the radios enabled, and a heat map then
takes place to ensure adequate wireless coverage
in the required areas. Such a mapping exercise
will not only ensure that coverage is suitable but
it will also ensure that the wireless equipment
is working, the correct antennas are in use and
lastly check if additional hardware needs to be
deployed or if current infrastructure can be repositioned
to meet the requirements. The heat
mapping report can be detailed and recorded for
future reference.
Once both the application networks are up
and running as expected, though should be given
to proactive and reactive maintenance. There are
two ways that this can be accomplished:
1Regular heat mapping - especially if changes
have or will be made to physical infrastructure
in the environment.
2Network Management Software (NMS) to
enable both proactive and reactive detection
of faults in real time.
in an area or location that has
an existing wireless network
(an IT type network) then
a discussion is required on
channel planning to ensure
that there are clearly defi ned
routes for IT and OT purposes
without any overlap. Having
these defi ned policies prepared,
in-place and understood will
only enhance the overall
resilience and reliability of both
the IT and OT Networks.
Planning
The idea of this phase is to
ensure that the network is
fully functional and has been
fully tested to ensure it works
and recovers as expected. It is
important to bottom out any
commissioning issues with
the application as this is more
likely to be the root cause of
any problems, as opposed to
the network.
A correctly implemented
Wireless Site Survey should
cover:
Bill of Material
Locating Map
Channel Plan
Existing Wireless
Installation / Heat Map
Planning the network should
encompass not only the bill
of material but should also
envisage where the equipment
will be positioned, the type of
antenna (including lightning
protection) and how the
equipment can be powered.
Finally, consideration of
commissioning the network
including confi rming the
applications and related
protocols and what is deemed
www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk 29
/www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk